Anderson, John, 1726-1796 to George Washington
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10273 Author/Creator: Anderson, John, 1726-1796 Place Written: Glasgow, Scotland Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 20 August 1793 Pagination: 1 p. : docket Height: 40.7 cm, Width: 25.9 cm Order a Copy
Titles the document "The Memorial." Writes discussing inventions. States "[t]hat he has invented a Bronze Guns Metal, which has the advantage of Common Iron Guns, and of Common Brass Guns, without their imperfections. That he has invented a Carriage for Guns; by which the recoil of the Gun is distroyed, without giving motion to the Carriage." Believes that these inventions will be very useful and writes that "because they were brought to the test of experiment by French Armies under the Generals [Marquis de] La Fayette, [Comte de] Rochambeau, [Charles François Du Périer] Dumourier, and Custine; and because, the Memorialist received the thanks of the French Nation; and which he values much more, of the military officers who made use of them in very trying situations." Volunteers his services in making the field pieces and writes that he "would think himself highly honoured by being appointed Engineer, Artillerist, and Director of the Gun Foundery, to the United States of America; which office would likewise give Them a right to other things of his invention; besides the two specified, and explained ... " Watermarked.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.